Houston's best food challenges

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Houston loves its food. It also loves a good challenge. So, a couple of local restaurants combined the two and came up with contests so outrageous, only those who are hungry for victory (or just hungry in general) dare to compete. Take a look at the food challenges that have gone on around town.

Where: Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen,
2327 Post Oak; 713-871-8883
What it is: The Zellagabetsky
The challenge: You must finish an eight-decker rye-bread sandwich with corned beef, pastrami, turkey, roast beef, salami, tongue, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, Russian dressing and red sweet peppers.
The cost: $55
The reward: A free piece of cheesecake
Information current as of August 19, 2014. less

Houston loves its food. It also loves a good challenge. So, a couple of local restaurants combined the two and came up with contests so outrageous, only those who are hungry for victory (or just hungry in ... more

Photo: Courtesy Photo

Houston loves its food. It also loves a good challenge. So, a... Photo-5458289.73991 - Houston Chronicle

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Where: The Cajun Stop, 2130 Jefferson; 713-222-8333
What it is: Undertaker Challenge
The challenge: You must eat a fully dressed extra large Surf & Turf Po-Boy and a large order fries with gravy and cheese in less than 45 minutes. No bathroom breaks.
The cost: $37
The reward: If you finish it, the meal is free. You also get a photo and a T-shirt and a $15 gift card for the restaurant. less

Where: The Cajun Stop, 2130 Jefferson; 713-222-8333What it is: Undertaker ChallengeThe challenge: You must eat a fully dressed extra large Surf & Turf Po-Boy and a large order fries with gravy and cheese ... more

Where: Mel’s Country Cafe,
24814 Stanolind in Tomball; 281-255-6357
What it is: The Mega Mel Burger
The challenge: You have two hours to eat 1½ pounds of beef, 1 pound of bacon, ¼ pound of American cheese and “lots, lots of lettuce, tomatoes, onions & pickles.”
The cost: $24.99
The reward: Your name on the restaurant’s wall less

Where: Mel’s Country Cafe, 24814 Stanolind in Tomball; 281-255-6357What it is: The Mega Mel BurgerThe challenge: You have two hours to eat 1½ pounds of beef, 1 pound of bacon, ¼ pound of American cheese ... more

Where: Nom Nom Noodles, 1635 Eldridge Parkway, 281-497-6028
What it is: The e-NOM-ous Challenge
The Challenge: You must eat two pounds of noodles and two pounds of meat and one enormous bowl of pho. Diners have an hour to finish.
Cost: $34.99
The reward: A t-shirt and a $50 gift card to the restaurant less

Where: Nom Nom Noodles, 1635 Eldridge Parkway, 281-497-6028What it is: The e-NOM-ous ChallengeThe Challenge: You must eat two pounds of noodles and two pounds of meat and one enormous bowl of pho. Diners ... more

Where: Little Bitty Burger Barn
5503 Pinemont; 713-683-6700
What it is: The Double Dog Dare You
The challenge: You have 30 minutes to finish eight 1/4-pound patties, eight slices of cheese, bacon, jalapeños and barbecue sauce and one pound of seasoned fries.
The cost: $29.99
The reward: Your picture on the restaurant’s wall and a t-shirt.

What it is: Charlie’s 5 Alarm Fire Burger
The challenge: There’s no time limit. You simply have to finish a burger topped with jalapeños, habaneros and Nitro Sauce, which registers 10,000,000 on the Scoville scale. (A jalapeño typically maxes out at 8,500 units.)
The cost: $8.99
The reward: Bragging rights. The prize used to be a little bitty fireman's helmet. less

Where: The Flying Saucer
What it is: The Beer Drinking Challenge
The challenge: The beer drinking challenge is more of a marathon than a sprint. The name of the game is to taste 200 different beers. The only catch is you can only drink three different beers a day.
The reward: You get your name on a plate in the Ring of Honor plus a $100 toast for you and your friends. less

Where: The Flying SaucerWhat it is: The Beer Drinking ChallengeThe challenge: The beer drinking challenge is more of a marathon than a sprint. The name of the game is to taste 200 different beers. The only ... more

Where: Central Texas Style Barbecue,
4110 W. Broadway in Pearland; 281-485-9626
What it is: The Texas Challenge
The challenge: In less than an hour, you must finish a full pound of sausage and a full pound of chopped beef served over doubled-baked potato loaded with cheese, green onions and sour cream. Oh, yeah, and two stuffed jalapeños.
The cost: $34.95
The reward: Your photo on the restaurant’s wall.
Update: The restaurant no longer does this challenge as of March 2014. Why? An employee at the restaurant says because it was "so gross." less

Where: Central Texas Style Barbecue, 4110 W. Broadway in Pearland; 281-485-9626What it is: The Texas Challenge The challenge: In less than an hour, you must finish a full pound of sausage and a full pound of ... more

If competition isn't your thing but you still want to put away a lot of food, you're in luck. Check out these gigantic meals that are served at a couple of Houston-area restaurants.
THE BEAST ($37.99) is one of several super-size sandwiches on the menu at The Backyard Grill. It’s 4 pounds of beef, eight slices of bacon, four slices of American cheese, four slices of Swiss cheese, sauteed mushrooms, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion, mayo and mustard. 9453 Jones; 281-897-9200. less

If competition isn't your thing but you still want to put away a lot of food, you're in luck. Check out these gigantic meals that are served at a couple of Houston-area restaurants.
THE BEAST ($37.99) is one ... more

Photo: Thomas Nguyen, For The Chronicle

If competition isn't your thing but you still want to put away... Photo-5458298.73991 - Houston Chronicle

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The SUPER MONSTER BURRITO at Freebirds weighs between 3 and 4 pounds, depending on how many of the 40 ingredients you choose to add to it. The price ranges from $6.49-$8.95, depending on the protein you pick. You can also check out the Monster Nachos. It’s 2 pounds of chicken or beef nachos for $8.95. Find nearest location at freebirds.com. less

The SUPER MONSTER BURRITO at Freebirds weighs between 3 and 4 pounds, depending on how many of the 40 ingredients you choose to add to it. The price ranges from $6.49-$8.95, depending on the protein you pick. ... more

The LARGE RANCHER chicken-fried steak with Texas River Bottom Gravy ($13.79) at Hickory Hollow has been featured on the Food Network’s Outrageous Food. Find the nearest location at hickoryhollowrestaurant.com. less

The LARGE RANCHER chicken-fried steak with Texas River Bottom Gravy ($13.79) at Hickory Hollow has been featured on the Food Network’s Outrageous Food. Find the nearest location at ... more